(no subject)

[astersyn]

In the paper yesterday, there was an article about the first day of court for a kid who was planning a school shooting at my high school.  All the action went down last year - he wanted to to do it all on the anniversary of the Columbine shootings.  Thankfully, the friend who was going to be his backup went to the police two weeks before that.  They arrested the kid and searched his house.  They found guns, sawed-off rifles, and a large number of homemade bombs, as well as journals filled with his plans and a hit list of over 30 people at school.  I had already graduated at that point, but my brother was going to school there.  I didn't know the guy, but I would see him in the hallways and at lunch.  It's so bizarre, because school shootings are those kind of Things That Happen To Other People.  You're never aware of how close you could be to a tragedy until it occurs.

The kid is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity; bipolar disorder exacerbated by domestic abuse and improper medication.  If found not guilty, he goes free with no further punishment.